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Exclusive Special Interview: Maxi

What can you tell our readers about you? How and where did it all begin?

My name is Maxi and I am an independant Melbourne based singer songwriter. I am just about to release my debut single In A Little While. The whole thing probably started manifesting when I was about 11 and someone suggested I start singing lessons. I remember searching through my Dad’s record collection for songs to sing at the next week’s lessons – I just really loved it. As I got older I performed some Musical Theatre also which was great fun.

What had you first interested in music?

Some of the first memories of music that I remember would be dancing around the house with my mum as a kid. She would turn the Bee Gees up and we would let loose in the living room. I remember enjoying that sense of freedom, that music can give you and I dare say this sparked my overall passion for music.

Who motivates or influences your quest to make great music?

A quest – Wow I’ve never really thought about it like that before!! I use the writing process as a way to express my point of view or to share an experience I’ve had or feeling I’ve felt. Trying to capture an emotion or feeling is probably my greatest motivation.

Do you have any planned tours coming up?

This first single comes from an upcoming EP due out in September which is when my live show will also launch. I am super pumped to be playing live!

In A Little While – Maxi (2012)

What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?

My biggest goal would be to continue to work on my song writing and hopefully have the chance to work with some more fabulous musicians and producers! I would also kill for the opportunity to play shows overseas.

What can fans expect from you in the coming months?

In the coming months my debut single In A Little While will be released along with a super cool video clip that we shot last weekend. Later in the year the full EP will be released and I will be playing live shows too!

Success, what is the secret to it and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?

Success is a strange concept, because everyone has their own definition of what it is. I’m naturally a pretty positive person which seems to attract other positive people and it seems to be a sort of cycle! So far the biggest highlight has been the feedback from people about my first single. It’s great to fee like the song is not solely mine but has been shared and enjoyed!

Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?

I find Kate Bush and Janelle Monae to be the most inspiring stars in the industry. Kate Bush is a fabulous artist, who has pushed boundaries and stayed true to herself and her music. Janelle Monae is also a huge inspiration. She has such an amazing voice, the best moves and the best fashion sense.

How would you best describe you and your music to your fans?

My music is probably best described as dark pop with lots of vocal harmonies. I love to write harmonies so all my songs feature them!

What can you tell us about your latest EP?

My debut EP which will be out in September, was so much fun to make! All the songs were initially written in my parent’s attic. Then, with producer Joel Witenberg, we recorded the EP in a house over the summer. Recording the EP this way meant we were free from many of the normal constraints of recording at a studio, such as a budget or time limit. It also meant we could get creative and experiment (We ended up using cooking pots and wooden spoons to make some of the beats!).

Are there any new exciting projects in the works?

We filmed the video clip for the single over the weekend so that project will be wrapped up soon and ready to be released! I’ve also been writing some song with Australian DJ Rocco Raimundo which are due to be released later this year.

The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?

The industry is huge, hopefully in a few years I will still be writing, recording and releasing music!

Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.

World’s End Press & Alpine.

The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?

I think the way the industry has changed has opened more doors and gives artists more platforms to share their sounds! Social Media and the use of the Internet has allowed people to find new music they enjoy, from artists they may not have discovered without it!